PTSD Article
PTSD Sufferers Who Used Cannabis Were 2.5 Times More Likely To Recover In A Recent Study
Source:
https://www.forbes.com
Article Summary:
The summary highlights recent findings suggesting that cannabis may offer relief to individuals suffering from PTSD, a condition characterized by debilitating symptoms stemming from traumatic experiences. Despite ongoing controversy and limited clinical research, anecdotal reports and preliminary studies have suggested that cannabis could alleviate PTSD symptoms. A new study, funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and conducted by researchers from several universities including the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, provides further evidence. This study found that PTSD patients using cannabis experienced greater reductions in symptom severity compared to non-users and were significantly more likely to no longer meet PTSD diagnostic criteria after a year of observation. The study underscores the need for more comprehensive clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of cannabis in treating PTSD, particularly using the types and doses of cannabis commonly used by patients. Current legal restrictions in the U.S. hinder such research efforts, as researchers are limited to observational studies rather than controlled trials with placebos. Despite these challenges, the study’s results suggest that cannabis, particularly high THC varieties, may not only alleviate symptoms but also potentially aid in healing from PTSD trauma, prompting calls for future research to address these questions more rigorously.